Sally’s guidebook
Rotorua's Thermal areas
One of Rotorua's top features is the thermal activity. There are several options.
One of Rotorua's top thermal areas. About 25 minutes drive towards Taupo. Lady Knox Geyser erupts every day at 10.15am. The other top feature of this area is the stunning Champagne Pool. Also in the area are the Waikite Hotpools. If you'd like free hotpools check out Kerosene Creek
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Wai-O-Tapu
201 Waiotapu Loop RdOne of Rotorua's top thermal areas. About 25 minutes drive towards Taupo. Lady Knox Geyser erupts every day at 10.15am. The other top feature of this area is the stunning Champagne Pool. Also in the area are the Waikite Hotpools. If you'd like free hotpools check out Kerosene Creek
Te Puia thermal area has the big advantage of being super close to my house. Just 5 minutes drive away. You can also see a Maori cultural show and see Kiwis here
Geothermal Valley Te Puia
3040 Hemo RoadTe Puia thermal area has the big advantage of being super close to my house. Just 5 minutes drive away. You can also see a Maori cultural show and see Kiwis here
Waimungu Thermal Valley is about 20km South of Rotorua and includes a boat ride on Lake Rotomahana. Very interesting walk through the valley that was formed when Tarawera erupted in 1896.
Waimangu Geyser
Waimungu Thermal Valley is about 20km South of Rotorua and includes a boat ride on Lake Rotomahana. Very interesting walk through the valley that was formed when Tarawera erupted in 1896.
If you are on a budget, you can get a very good taste of Rotorua's thermal activity by visiting Kuirau Park, which is right in town and has steaming lakes, bubbling mud and even a pool to soak your feet.
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Kuirau Park
Ranolf StreetIf you are on a budget, you can get a very good taste of Rotorua's thermal activity by visiting Kuirau Park, which is right in town and has steaming lakes, bubbling mud and even a pool to soak your feet.
Walks in Forest and by Lakes
Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest and her lakes offer some amazingly beautiful walks. Here are some of my favourites
There are two options for walking in The Redwoods. Walk the Redwoods Grove or other longer Whakarewarewa Forest walks on the ground. Check out the options in the Redwoods Visitors Centre.
The Redwoods treewalk gives a viewpoint from up the trees. This option is particularly spectacular at night, with its atmospheric lighting. I recommend getting there either before dark or late to avoid the crowds. Last entry is around 10pm.
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Redwoods Treewalk
Tarawera RoadThere are two options for walking in The Redwoods. Walk the Redwoods Grove or other longer Whakarewarewa Forest walks on the ground. Check out the options in the Redwoods Visitors Centre.
The Redwoods treewalk gives a viewpoint from up the trees. This option is particularly spectacular at night, with its atmospheric lighting. I recommend getting there either before dark or late to avoid the crowds. Last entry is around 10pm.
The Blue Lake is stunning, especially on a still morning. There is a gorgeous 5km walk around the lake, which goes through native bush and pines. Partway round you can see the contrast in colours between the Blue and Green Lakes.
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Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)
Tarawera RoadThe Blue Lake is stunning, especially on a still morning. There is a gorgeous 5km walk around the lake, which goes through native bush and pines. Partway round you can see the contrast in colours between the Blue and Green Lakes.
Fabulous views with the volcano in the background. Several walk options. Ranging from the Tarawera walkway which takes 4 hours one way. You can either return by water taxi from your end point or camp and enjoy Hot Water Beach.
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Lake Tarawera
Fabulous views with the volcano in the background. Several walk options. Ranging from the Tarawera walkway which takes 4 hours one way. You can either return by water taxi from your end point or camp and enjoy Hot Water Beach.
The Lake Okareka Boardwalk in Acacia Road is another fabulous walking option especially if you enjoy great views and lots of birdlife. All Rotorua's lakes are fabulous for a swim in summer
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Lake Okareka
The Lake Okareka Boardwalk in Acacia Road is another fabulous walking option especially if you enjoy great views and lots of birdlife. All Rotorua's lakes are fabulous for a swim in summer
If you are planning some white water rafting or driving to Mount Maunganui, it is well worth a stop at Okere Falls to watch rafts come over the 7 metre waterfall! Stop into Okere Falls Store afterwards for a really relaxing vibe, fabulous food, coffee and German beers
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Okere Falls
If you are planning some white water rafting or driving to Mount Maunganui, it is well worth a stop at Okere Falls to watch rafts come over the 7 metre waterfall! Stop into Okere Falls Store afterwards for a really relaxing vibe, fabulous food, coffee and German beers
Beautiful walk over a pristine river, through a beautiful grove of Redwoods to a spring which supplies part of Rotorua's water. Fabulous but no longer free
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Náttúruverndarsvæðið Hamurana Springs
773 Hamurana RdBeautiful walk over a pristine river, through a beautiful grove of Redwoods to a spring which supplies part of Rotorua's water. Fabulous but no longer free
Mountain biking
Rotorua offers some of the world's best mountain biking. There are tracks to suit every level of fitness and skill.
A great starting point for your ride, without too many hills at the start of your ride. You can also hire a bike at Rotorua Mountain Bikes. They also make great coffee and offer a range of food options out of a container cafe. If you have your own bike you can bike from my house and be on a track within 2 minutes
MTB Carpark Waipa
A great starting point for your ride, without too many hills at the start of your ride. You can also hire a bike at Rotorua Mountain Bikes. They also make great coffee and offer a range of food options out of a container cafe. If you have your own bike you can bike from my house and be on a track within 2 minutes
Rotorua for adventurers
Rotorua offers many levels of adventure to suit all tastes. Check out these options
An awesome experience rafting the Kaituna River which has the highest commercially rafted water fall in New Zealand. (7 Metres)
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Rotorua Rafting
761 State Hwy 33An awesome experience rafting the Kaituna River which has the highest commercially rafted water fall in New Zealand. (7 Metres)
All kinds of activities including sky swing and jetboating
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Velocity Valley Adrenaline Park
1335 Paradise Valley RdAll kinds of activities including sky swing and jetboating
Roll down a hill in a giant ball either with or without water. Heaps of fun
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ZORB™ Rotorua
525 Ngongotaha RdRoll down a hill in a giant ball either with or without water. Heaps of fun
Thermal Pools
You can't visit Rotorua without indulging in a hot soak
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools were built by local farmers in the 1970s. Enjoy a hot soak in your choice of 5 different temperature pools while enjoying the view of surrounding farmland and the Paeroa Ranges. Idyllic and you can walk up to the spring where the boiling waters come out of the ground
Waikite Valley
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools were built by local farmers in the 1970s. Enjoy a hot soak in your choice of 5 different temperature pools while enjoying the view of surrounding farmland and the Paeroa Ranges. Idyllic and you can walk up to the spring where the boiling waters come out of the ground
An in-town thermal spring, which stays open until 11pm. Pools for your skin and muscle relaxation and a wide choice of temperatures. Massage packages also available
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Polýnesíu Spa
1000 Hinemoa StAn in-town thermal spring, which stays open until 11pm. Pools for your skin and muscle relaxation and a wide choice of temperatures. Massage packages also available
Kerosene Creek offers a natural hotpool for a dip. For those on a budget there is no charge. Very highly rated by visitors, but take care of your valuables
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Kerosene Creek
Old Waiotapu RoadKerosene Creek offers a natural hotpool for a dip. For those on a budget there is no charge. Very highly rated by visitors, but take care of your valuables
Dining in dinner choices
For a wide range of dinner options visit Eat Streat. My top picks follow, but it is also great to just wander and see what you like the look of.
Fabulous Indian food and super friendly service. Take-aways too
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Indian Star Tandoori Restaurant
1118 Tutanekai StFabulous Indian food and super friendly service. Take-aways too
Wildrice thai rotorua
1114 Tutanekai StBeautiful Thai Cuisine, eat in or take away
My absolute favourite in Eat Streat. Tasting platters of Kiwi/fusion food. Fabulous wines and cocktails too
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Atticus Finch
1106 Tutanekai StMy absolute favourite in Eat Streat. Tasting platters of Kiwi/fusion food. Fabulous wines and cocktails too
CBK brew their craft beers in Rotorua. Well worth a visit if you enjoy beer
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Craft Bar And Kitchen
1115 Tutanekai StCBK brew their craft beers in Rotorua. Well worth a visit if you enjoy beer
Historic Pub just out of Eat Streat. Great food, wines, beers and live music.
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Pig & Whistle, Historic Pub
1182 Tutanekai StHistoric Pub just out of Eat Streat. Great food, wines, beers and live music.
Try the Good Eastern Taphouse for dinner options that you can walk to
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Good Eastern Taphouse
279 Te Ngae RdTry the Good Eastern Taphouse for dinner options that you can walk to
Take away options within walking distance
At The Redwood Centre and Lynmore Junction
BurgerFuel Redwood Centre
5 Tarawera RdClassy burgers, fries and milk shakes
Don Kebab
5 Tarawera RdInexpensive turkish eat-in or take away
TE ARAWA Fresh Seafood
Excellent fish and chips in the Redwood Centre. Check seasonal opening times
Domino's Pizza Rotorua
5 Tarawera RdAlso in the Redwood Centre. Handy, needs no further introduction. Deliveries
Pita Pit Redwoods
5 Tarawera RdWithin easy walking distance